Thailand's Ministry of Tourism is actively considering the possibility of legalizing gambling establishments in order to attract additional investment and increase the number of foreign visitors to the country. According to a report submitted to the House of Representatives, the introduction of a regulated casino sector will strengthen Thailand's position as a tourist center of Southeast Asia and compete with such gambling capitals as Macau.
At the moment, gambling in the kingdom is extremely limited and reduced to state horse racing and the national lottery. Nevertheless, about 10% of citizens suffer from ludomania - pathological addiction to gambling. Industry experts are convinced that the creation of legal casinos will attract significant flows of foreign tourists seeking various forms of leisure.
Legislative process and public opinion
A committee of 60 deputies from all political forces prepared a draft law on casinos for further consideration and approval by Parliament. According to the authors, private companies will build and operate gambling complexes, while the state will take over the regulation and taxation of this sphere of activity.
It is proposed to locate entertainment centers in tourist areas at a distance of no more than 100 km from international airports. The minimum investment for a large project is estimated at 100 billion baht (US$2.79 billion). Foreign and local organizations with experience in the gambling industry will be key investors.
Despite the economic prospects, the initiative has drawn widespread public criticism. According to a 2021 poll, nearly half of respondents (46.51%) opposed the legalization of casinos on ethical and criminogenic grounds. Only 21.25% supported the idea. Previous attempts to legalize gambling failed precisely because of public resistance.
Challenges and prospects
Despite the moral and criminogenic obstacles, one cannot ignore the economic benefits of creating a gambling industry in Thailand. Casinos can significantly replenish the country's budget through taxes, provide an inflow of foreign currency and create new jobs. Thai authorities intend to take into account the negative experience and develop effective measures to minimize the risks.
The Government will have to conduct extensive outreach to convince the population of the need for reform. There must be a willingness to dialog and openly discuss the details of the proposed legislation. Only in an atmosphere of trust and transparency can a national consensus be reached on such a contentious issue.
Author of the article: Ekaterina Antonova
